Akron Council Approves Bonds for Tucker Settlement
The city will issue bonds to pay a $4.75 million settlement to the family of a teen killed by police.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Akron City Council voted 12-1 to authorize the issuance of bonds to cover a $4.75 million legal settlement for the family of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker. Tucker was shot and killed by a former Akron police officer on Thanksgiving night in 2024.
Why it matters
The settlement payment was too large for the city's standard operating budget to absorb, necessitating the use of bond notes to replenish the general fund. Debt service for these bonds will be covered by existing inside millage property tax revenue.
The Akron City Council voted 12-1 on October 26, 2026, to authorize the bond issuance. The underlying lawsuit filed November 24, 2025, sought monetary damages and police reform.
The players
Jazmir Tucker
He was a 15-year-old killed by a former Akron police officer in 2024.
Davon Fields
He is the former Akron police officer who shot and killed Jazmir Tucker.
Akron City Council
This is the local legislative body that authorized the city to issue bonds to cover the legal settlement.
The details
The bond issuance allows the city to manage the immediate financial impact of the settlement following the death of Jazmir Tucker. The city has previously utilized bond funding for legal settlements, including a $5 million issuance in 2016 for the fire department.
Timeline
The city issued $5 million in bonds for a settlement in 2016.
Jazmir Tucker was killed by a police officer on November 28, 2024.
A federal lawsuit was filed on November 24, 2025.
The City Council authorized the bond issuance on October 26, 2026.
Legal Context
This settlement follows the pattern established by the 2022 Jayland Walker case, where the city utilized specific funding to address a major police-involved liability. These payouts reflect the ongoing fiscal challenges Akron faces regarding high-cost legal settlements.
Residents should be aware that debt service on these bonds will be paid out of existing property tax millage revenue. This fiscal move aims to maintain city fund stability without requiring an immediate, separate tax hike for the settlement payment.
The takeaway
Large legal settlements often force municipalities to shift long-term debt burdens onto property tax payers. Local voters should continue to monitor how the city manages its budget to account for recurring police-related liability costs.
Further reading
For more information on municipal legal matters, visit the Akron Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Akron Beacon Journal.
